Derrick Walker Out At INDYCAR

Derrick Walker, left, has resigned at INDYCAR, his boss Mark Miles said Thursday.

By John Sturbin | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com

Derrick Walker, President of Competition & Operations, INDYCAR, announced Thursday morning he will relinquish his duties with the open-wheel series effective Aug. 31, 2015, in order to pursue other professional opportunities.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to work closely with the team owners, drivers and the team at INDYCAR,” Walker said in a statement. “After two-and-a-half racing seasons, I believe the timing is right to move on to other opportunities.”

In his current post, Walker has been responsible for all technical and competition aspects of the sanctioning body’s racing operation. Walker brought more than 40 years of racing experience to the series in May 2013, including over 20 years as owner of his race team, Walker Motorsports, Ltd.

Miles credited Walker with instituting several important contributions that advanced INDYCAR as a sanctioning body. Walker greatly assisted in securing Boston as a new event on the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule, successfully introduced the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis in 2014 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, spearheaded additional investment to improve technology in Race Control and led innovation of the new Indy car aero kits produced by IndyCar Series engine-suppliers Chevrolet and Honda to the base Dallara chassis.

Walker’s focus on continuous safety advancement resulted in changes to the Indy car underwing platform, making the cars more stable and strengthening sidepods, further protecting drivers.

“We have benefited from Derrick’s extensive racing experience, his tireless effort and his passion for INDYCAR, and he will be missed,” Miles said in a statement. “We appreciate the thoughtful way Derrick has planned his transition and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Walker’s resume is highlighted by a 13-year tenure with open-wheel icon Roger Penske that began in Formula One as a chief mechanic for driver John Watson and evolved into the overall responsibility of management of Penske Cars, Ltd., which designed and manufactured a series of Penske Indy cars in Poole, England.

In late 1980, Walker moved to the United States as Penske’s vice president of racing with overall responsibility of race team operations at Penske Racing, Inc., and the design and development of Penske’s Indy cars at Penske Cars., Ltd.

During his tenure with “The Captain” and his spit-and-polish organization, Walker was a part of five Indianapolis 500 victories, six Indy car championships and 28 Indy car races with an all-star list of drivers including Mario Andretti, Tom Sneva, Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan, Al Unser and Bobby Unser.